Daily Archives: July 17, 2008

JUSTICE DENIED TO PHILADELPHIA 11

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JUSTICE DENIED TO PHILADELPHIA 11

Appeals court rules against/for Christians arrested at “OutFest 2004″

PHILADELPHIA — Despite being vindicated of all wrongdoing in criminal court, the Philadelphia 11 lost their federal lawsuit against the City of Philadelphia when an appeals court ruled that their rights were not violated when they were arrested and jailed for attempting to witness and preach the Gospel at a homosexual event in 2004. The suit was filed on behalf of eleven Christians, who became known as the Philadelphia 11, who were cleared of “hate crime” and other felony and misdemeanor charges following their arrests at the City’s annual tax-payer funded homosexual event called “OutFest”.

PHILADELPHIA — Despite being vindicated of all wrongdoing in criminal court, the Philadelphia 11 lost their federal lawsuit against the City of Philadelphia when an appeals court ruled that their rights were not violated when they were arrested and jailed for attempting to witness and preach the Gospel at a homosexual event in 2004. The suit was filed on behalf of eleven Christians, who became known as the Philadelphia 11, who were cleared of “hate crime” and other felony and misdemeanor charges following their arrests at the City’s annual tax-payer funded homosexual event called “OutFest”.

CASE OVERVIEW

On October 10, 2004, six men and five women with Repent America (RA), who became known as the Philadelphia 11, were arrested while ministering the Gospel on the public streets and sidewalks of Philadelphia at a $10,000 tax-payer funded celebration of homosexuality called “OutFest,” which was organized by Philly Pride Presents, Inc.

Prior to their arrest, the Christians were confronted by a militant mob of homosexuals known as the “Pink Angels” who blew loud whistles and carried large pink signs in front of them to block their message and access to the event, while others screamed obscenities. The Philadelphia police, under the direction of Chief Inspector James Tiano, the City’s “police liaison to the gay and lesbian community,” refused to take any action as the Christians were continuously followed, obstructed, and harassed, even though they respectfully cooperated with police, obeying orders to move, short of being directed out of the event.

After spending 21 hours in jail, Philadelphia District Attorney Lynne Abraham’s office charged them under Pennsylvania’s hate crimes law called “Ethnic Intimidation,” along with a host of other felony and misdemeanor charges. If convicted, the Philadelphia 11 could have faced up to 47 years in prison and $90,000 in fines each. These charges were later dismissed by Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas Judge Pamela Dembe as being without merit. Subsequently, on October 21, 2005, the Philadelphia Eleven filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Philadelphia and Philly Pride Presents, Inc. for violations of their civil rights.

While, in its decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for The Third Circuit did ultimately side with the City of Philadelphia, it did make some important rulings which should serve to support the rights of Christians to speak in the public square. In its decision, the appeals court rejected U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence F. Stengel’s decision from earlier this year in which he ruled that the Philadelphia 11 should have been prohibited from engaging in their constitutional rights on the public streets and sidewalks because “once the City issued a permit to Philly Pride for OutFest, it was empowered to enforce the permit by excluding persons expressing contrary messages.” The appeals court found that despite the fact that the event organizers had a permit, the Philadelphia 11 had a constitutionally protected right to be present on the public streets and sidewalks within the event area and convey their message, even though that message was counter to the message being conveyed by the event.

Nevertheless, the appeals court found that the actions of the police were justified based on the court’s perception that the Philadelphia 11 were “disrupting the event.” The court came to this conclusion even though the Christians were not charged, arrested or even threatened with arrest for being “disruptive”, which would have been a violation of Pennsylvania law, and after viewing the same video footage that cleared them of all felony and misdemeanor charges in criminal court. Despite overwhelming evidence showing the Christians being drowned out by homosexual activists as they complied with police directives to move, the Court made its ruling in favor of the defendants based on false and unsubstantiated “disruption” claims, which, since they were in dispute, should have been presented to a jury to decide.

Watch the video of the Philadelphia 11′s arrests.

“The court’s ruling that the action taken by the police was justified because the Philly 11 were disrupting the event is concerning,” said Ted Hoppe, the attorney for the Philadelphia 11. “We believe that a review of the video footage of the event clearly shows that the Philly 11 went out of their way to be cooperative and not be disruptive themselves. The only disruption that occurred, if any, was due to the crowd’s reaction to the message that the Philly 11 was conveying,” Hoppe continued. “It is encouraging that the court affirmed the rights of Christians to go into the public square and engage in free speech activities,” Hoppe said. “However, it does seem somewhat contradictory to say that, on the one had the Philly 11 had a constitutionally protected right to be present at the event and to speak, but then to also say that if the crowd does not like their message, the Philly 11 can be removed,” Hoppe concluded.

“The only disruption that took place that day was to our freedom of religion and speech,” Michael Marcavage, director of Repent America (RA) and one of the Philadelphia 11. “The video evidence clearly shows that it was the homosexual activists who were drowning out our message of hope and redemption through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. As the homosexuals blocked us with Styrofoam boards, blew whistles in our faces and chanted profanities, the police did absolutely nothing to stop them,” Marcavage continued. “In its opinion, the court made us out to be the ones causing the disruption, when it was completely the other way around. The appeals court upheld our rights to be at the event, but denied us justice at the same time,” Marcavage continued. “The result in this case is another dangerous example of how hostility toward Biblical Christianity is growing in our nation, and ultimately how homosexual extremism will not only silence those who share their faith publicly, but the pulpit itself,” Marcavage concluded.

In a related case, Repent America successfully had Pennsylvania’s “hate crimes” law expansion struck down by Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court because it had been passed unconstitutionally in November of last year. The “hate crime” law, formally known as “Ethnic Intimidation”, had been used against the Philadelphia 11. Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell appealed the Commonwealth’s ruling to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which will be heard in the coming months. Former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore and attorneys with the Foundation for Moral Law are arguing the case on behalf of Repent America.

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About Repent America

Repent America (RA) is an evangelistic organization based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which zealously labors to further the Kingdom of God through Biblical evangelism. RA is a small operation with a BIG mission as it reaches out to tens of thousands of people each month with the Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Whether it be the public proclamation of the Gospel message (Romans 10:14-15), opening thy mouth for the voiceless (Proverbs 31:8-9), preaching to the poor and comforting the brokenhearted (Luke 4:18), warning the wicked of their way (Ezekiel 33:8-9), or working to preserve our liberties to do so, Repent America continues to “fight the good fight of faith.” (1 Timothy 6:12) Please join in the fight with us by clicking here to make a donation to keep us on the streets, so that we can continue to focus on impacting America with the truth of God’s Word!

Get the Watchman E Books Free

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watchman e books

TheWatchman E-Books from the WIBR/WARN Radio, Websites, & Online Ministry

The Watchman E-books by the Watchman Dana G Smith. These are hi-res photo””s for the most part in the books with biblical references, teachings, and writings that cover the topics that pertain to the last days. These are professionally produced and put here for you.

“let the watchman declare what he see””s” Is 21:6

These E Books also are not intended to be the very last word in full details. We cannot cover the whole of certain topics in these short E Books. They are intended to help you. You should be studing the Word of God for yourself. These are but a

Download the PDF E book, Deceit of the Son of Perdition
Download the E book, The Day of Indignation
Download the PDF E book, Lords Smelter & the Time of Trouble
Download the E book, The Lords of Chaos
Download the E book, The True Lord of Faith & Comfort
Download the E book, Anti-Christ & False Prophets

The WIBR/WARN Radio Resources: Other download PDF””””s


Download the PDF Declaring Christ
Download the PDF Definitive Gnosis of God
Download the PDF Mysterious Esoteric New Age
Download the PDF Going over the High side

PA lauds mass murderers as heroes

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PA lauds mass murderers as heroes
Samir Kuntar – crushed the head of four-year-old Eynat Haran
Dalal Mughrabi – led a bus hijacking killing 37
By Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook

Samir Kuntar – crushed the head of four-year-old Eynat Haran
Dalal Mughrabi – led a bus hijacking killing 37
By Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook

Israel Watch
According to the Palestinian Authority and Fatah, Samir Kuntar and Dalal Mughrabi epitomize the ideal heroic Palestinians.

Kuntar, who crushed the head of four-year-old Eynat Haran with his rifle and was serving four life sentences for murder in an Israeli prison, was freed yesterday in exchange for the bodies of Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser, Israeli soldiers kidnapped in 2006.

Dalal Mughrabi led a 1978 bus hijacking that was the worst terror attack in Israel”s history. Thirty seven vacationers, including 12 children, were murdered. Her body was released to Lebanon as part of the exchange.

PA TV and newspapers controlled by PA president Mahmoud Abbas have had hours of broadcasting and songs in recent days, honoring the two terrorists as heroes of the Palestinians. As reported both on PA TV and in newspapers, Abbas “congratulated yesterday”s exchange of prisoner and bodies of Martyrs. The president sent blessings to Samir Kuntar”s family.” [Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, July 17, 2008; PA TV, July 17, 2008]

Besides bludgeoning Eynat Haran to death with rocks and his rifle, Kuntar killed her father and was responsible for the death of her infant sister. He also killed two policemen in the 1979 attack in Nahariya.

The following are examples from the PA press:
“(Official Fatah spokesman Ahmad Abdul Rahman) said that the Fatah movement sends warm blessings to Hizbullah, to all the resistance [terror forces - Ed.], and to the Lebanese nation, and the Palestinians for their historic victory over the Israeli arrogance in their victorious July War, [2006 Lebanese War].

“And on the return of the heroes of freedom, the heroes and the Martyrs, headed by the great Samir Kuntar and the Martyr fighter Dalal Mughrabi, who led the most glorified Sacrifice action in the history of the Palestinian-Israeli struggle. [Editors'' note: Her bus hijacking was the worst terror attack in Israel''s history. Thirty seven Israeli vacationers, including 12 children, were murdered.]

“He emphasized that the Fatah party… vows to the Palestinian people that Fatah will continue to struggle in the way of the pure Martyrs, until the state is liberated and the Palestinian state is established with Jerusalem as the capital. The Fatah movement turns on this day, that abounds with sincere blessings to Hizbullah …

“The battle against the theft of Palestine is the battle of all the fighters and all the Arab nations. Blessings to the free heroes and their head, the heroic fighter Samir Kuntar, and blessings to the spirit of the heroic Dalal Mughrabi and to the friends of the heroes.”

“President Mahmud Abbas congratulated yesterday”s exchange of prisoners and bodies of Martyrs. The president sent blessings to Samir Kuntar”s family.”
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, July 17, 2008]
PA TV host addressing brother of Kuntar: “First of all a thousand blessings, on the release of the heroic leader Samir Kuntar.”
[PATV, July 7, 2008]

Hani Al-Masri, writer and political commentator:
“This deal includes heroes, like Samir Kuntar, who committed heroic acts, in which Jews and soldiers were killed.”
[PATV, July 5, 2008]

[source: pmw.org.il; Palestinian Media Watch]

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UN Forces Descend Upon Haiti

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Haiti’s UN Occupation Forces Carry Out Massacre of Poor in Port-au-Prince

On Wednesday morning, July 6th, at approximately 3:00 AM, UN occupation forces in Haiti carried out a major military operation in the working-class neighborhood of Cite Soleil, one of the poorest in Port-au-Prince and also a stronghold of support for Haiti’s majority political party Lavalas and President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Presumably, the purpose of the operation was to crack down on illegal “gang activity”, in particular on “gang” leader Dread Wilme. In actuality, a US trade union and human rights delegation in Port-au-Prince discovered evidence of a massacre conducted by the UN forces, targeting the larger community itself.

According to accounts from many different members of the community, many of whom chose to remain anonymous, as well as from journalists who were on the scene during the operation, UN forces surrounded two neighborhoods within Cite Soleil, Boisneuf and Project Drouillard, sealing off the alleys with tanks and troops.

Two helicopters flew overhead. At 4:30 AM, UN forces launched the offensive, shooting into houses, shacks, a church, and a school with machine guns, tank fire, and tear gas. Eyewitnesses reported that when people fled to escape the tear gas, UN troops gunned them down from the back.

UN forces shot out electric transformers in the neighborhood. People were killed in their homes and also just outside of their homes, on the way to work. According to journalists and eyewitnesses, one man named Leon Cherry, age 46, was shot and killed on his way to work for a flower company. Another man, Mones Belizaire, was shot as he got ready to go work in a local sweatshop and subsequently died from a stomach infection. A woman who was a street vendor was shot in the
head and killed instantly.

One man was shot in his ribs while he was trying to brush his teeth. Another man was shot in the jaw as he left his house to try and get some money for his wife””””s medical costs; he endured a slow death.Yet another man named Mira was shot and killed while urinating in his home.

A mother, Sena Romelus, and her two young children were killed in their home, either by bullets or by a 83-CC grenade UN forces threw. Film footage of many of these deaths was shared with the US human rights delegation. Eyewitnesses claimed that the offensive overwhelmed the community and that there was not a “firefight”, but rather a slaughter. The operation was primarily conducted by UN forces, with the Haitian National Police this time taking a back seat.

Seth Donnelly, a member of the US human rights delegation in Port-au-Prince, visited Cite Soleil with Haitian human rights workers on Thursday afternoon, July 7th. The team gathered testimony from many members of the community, young and old, men, women, and youth. All verified the previous statements we had received from journalists and other eyewitness accounts.

These community members spoke of how they had been surrounded by tanks and troops that sealed off exits from the neighborhoods and then proceeded to assault the civilian population. The community allowed the team to film the evidence of the massacre, showing the homes in
some cases made of tin and cardboard that had been riddled by bullets, tank fire and helicopter ammunition, as well as showing the team some of the corpses still there, including a mother and her two children.

The team also filmed a church and a school that had been riddled by ammunition. Reportedly, a preacher was among the victims killed. Some community members allowed the team to interview them, but not to film their faces for fear of their lives. People were traumutized and, in the cases of loved ones of victims, hysterical.

Many community members again young and old, men and women spoke highly of Dread Wilme, referring to him as their “protector” or “father”, and expressed fear for the future. One member said that he heard that another UN operation against the community was planned for later Thursday night or early Friday morning.

Multiple community people indicated that they had counted at least 23 bodies of people killed by the UN forces. Community members claimed that UN forces had taken away some of the bodies. Published estimates indicate that upwards of 50 may have been killed and an indeterminate number wounded, and that more than 300 heavily armed UN troops took part in the assault on this densely populated residential neighborhood.

“There was systematic firing on civilians,” said one eyewitness to the killing. “All exits were cut off. The community was choked off, surrounded facing tanks coming from different angles, and overhead,
helicopters with machine guns fired down on the people. The citizens were under attack from all sides and from the air. It was war on a community.”

The Labor/Human Rights Delegation from the United States, sponsored by the San Francisco Labor Council, had been in Haiti since late last month to attend the Congress of the Confederation of Haitian Workers (CTH), the country””””s largest labor organization, and interviewed hundreds of Haitian workers, farmers and professionals about the current labor and human rights situation in Haiti.

[Source: Email news, listed source: /http://www.haitiaction.net/News/HAC/7_8_5.html]

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Sundar Singh’s vision of Christ

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Sundar Singh’s vision of Christ…1903

Yshua

Fourteen year old Sundar Singh blamed the Christian God for the death of his mother. He threw filth on his Christian teachers, mocked their Scriptures, and interrupted classes. Then he made an ultimate gesture of scorn. He built a fire and page by page tore up a Bible and burned it. “Although I believed that I had done a very good deed by burning the Bible, I felt unhappy,” he said.
Within three days Sundar Singh could bear his misery no longer. Late at night, on this day December 19, 1903,* he rose and prayed that God reveal himself if he really existed. Otherwise he would throw himself in front of the train which passed by his house. For seven hours Sundar Singh prayed. “O God, if there is a God, reveal thyself to me tonight.” The next train was due at five o’clock in the morning. The hours passed.
Suddenly the room filled with a glow. A man appeared before him. Sundar heard a voice say, “How long will you deny me? I died for you; I have given my life for you.” He saw the man’s hands, pierced by nails.
In that moment he recognized Christ. The boy who had burned the Bible became a man who would endure terrible sufferings for Jesus. He made twenty trips into Tibet, where he met severe persecution.
But first, Sundar had to face his own people. The Sikhs had endured serious opposition in their early history. As a consequence they were fiercely loyal to their faith. Conversion to Christianity was considered treachery. Every effort was made to woo or coerce Sundar Singh back to his ancestral faith.
His father pleaded. An uncle opened a cellar full of treasures. A prince appealed to the boy’s patriotism. His own brother spread lies about him. His former gang hurled muck at him. The mission was attacked. Christians were denied service. A boy who followed Sundar Singh was poisoned to death.
Finally Sundar realized he must break with his people. He cut off the hair he had worn long like every Sikh. Then he was told, “We reject you forever… We shall forget you as if you had never been born. You will leave this house with nothing but the clothes you wear on your back. …” When painful cramps wrenched his gut, he realized that his family had poisoned his last meal. He staggered to a mission hospital.
After his recovery, he donned the yellow robe of India’s holy men. Unlike many gurus, he kept himself clean and did not torture his body. Dressed in his thin yellow robe, Sundar took to the road, preaching the gospel of Christ. Over the years, many were won to faith through him. Even his own father was converted. But in 1929, a sickly Sundar set out for Tibet. He never returned. Nothing was heard from him again.
*The most trustworthy biography gives this date. Others place this conversion as early as December 6th and as late as 1904.
Source: Glimpses of christian History/ http://chi.gospelcom.net/DAILYF/2001/12/daily-12-19-2001.shtml
FAIR USE NOTICE: This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond ‘fair use’, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.